Title

Author

Date of Award

Document Type

Action Research Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education, Montessori

First Advisor

Allie Brandon

Department/School

Elementary Education, Montessori Elementary Education

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to see if mindfulness lessons based on breathing and meditation techniques would be effective with elementary age students in building community and collaborative work skills. This was done in a classroom of 25 students ranging from nine to twelve years old. I used a pre and post survey as well as observational data to determine the relevance of the meditations on community clean up time. The results showed that there was an increase in participation as well as a decrease in the time it took for the children to clean up. There was also a heightened awareness of community responsibility based on the post survey results. The observational data also showed that the children were communicating more effectively and even leading discussions on how to problem solve. Other interesting reflections came to light such as the teacher’s assumptions on what the students believed about the importance of their work in the community and their ideas about self. The action plan shows the importance of continued work in mindfulness meditation in the classroom to help support the children to focus, be aware of their environment, communicate more effectively and have a greater appreciation of themselves.